2014 Oxford, UK - Day 3 - Fri, Aug 15th                          

(Note:  There are 2 imbedded videos below.  In the bottom right of the video box, click the wierd icon to open it to Full Screen.  Then click "HD" for High Definition, then click the Play button on the left.  When the video is done, press ESC to exit from Full Screen mode.  Remember to also look at the pictures that are at the bottom of this post - just click the arrows to scroll through all 14 pics or click a thumbnail pic to make it appear in the larger area below.)

Today we hit the ground running.  Didn't get an early start but the weather was beautiful - 67 sunny with light breeze - so headed to Cornmarket Street.  It is the main street in Oxford and permanently closed to traffic so it is a pedestrian area.  (pics below) There are banks and shops on both sides but most interesting are the various street performers scattered along the 4 block area.  Most are musicians singing and playing guitars some quite good. 

   --  I took a pic (see below) of one man who was just finishing a sand sculpture of a dog. 

   --  Another young man had chalked out a 6'x2' area and written "3 tries for 1GP" to ride an "unrideable" bike.  Never did see anyone succeed but many tried.  Basically the front wheel turned the opposite way that you turned the handlebars!  Mostly youngsters tried it as everyone was falling down within inches of mounting the bike. 

  --   We were thoroughly fascinated by a young girl performing incredible gymnastic handstands, balancing and twirls on 2 separate 18" tall platforms (for lack of a better word).  Sorry I didn't take any video.  She was absolutely incredible and we didn't want to miss a second of her performances.

Turned off Cornmarket Street onto George Street toward Gloucester Green Town Square - an open square near the bus depot. The video below shows walking along George street.  You can see the various restaurants.  Where we turn at the Cleaver (another restaurant) that is one entry to Gloucester Green.  The yellow sign in front of the Cleaver advertises the regular Thursday Market in a park-like area near Gloucester Green.  Further down on the right you see the Red Lion restaurant built on a round "corner".  We'd  been wanting to eat on their patio and this was the perfect day.  There are also more pics below.

RED LION from James Sandefur on Vimeo.

Went to the Turf Tavern for dinner and again thanks to the beautiful weather, ate on one of their 3 outdoor patios. 

Interesting in all the pubs is that you go to the bar to choose your beer and order any food.  Then they either a) give you a wooden spoon or something with a number on it that you put on your table OR b) you tell them your table number.  Sure beats having to flag down a server when you're ready to order!  Also, the beams/ceilings are very low as people are taller these days, so one must continually "mind your head" . 

The video below shows Jim walking down St Helen's Passage (once called St Hell's passage due to the prostitutes looking for customers)  to the Turf Tavern (note the 2 signs on the wall at the beginning of the video).  Yes, there are numerous turns to arrive there. The small hut like building overgrown with moss is their beer/barrel storage and the Toilets.  On the right you can see the tall stone wall - the original Roman city wall - the Turf was built next to the wall but outside the city.  Throughout are signs of the many notables who have visited including Elizabeth Taylor and my favorite sign -  "this is where Clinton did not inhale"

Turf Tavern from James Sandefur on Vimeo.